Forgotten Juliet
Chapter 141:

* * *

The effect of the spiritual entity was astonishing.

Marquis Guinness, who stubbornly claimed his innocence, confessed everything the moment he was eroded by the entity.

Having lost his sense of self, Marquis Guinness answered every question as if under some form of confession spell.

Except for one.

“Where is Dahlia?”

The question was rephrased to inquire where and how he met Dahlia, who she was, and so on.

However, whenever a question about Dahlia arose, Marquis Guinness would have a violent fit instead of answering.

“It must be a rejection reaction.”

Present at the interrogation of the Marquis were magicians of the Marigold Merchant Guild and Eshelrid.

“It seems someone has tampered with the Marquis’s memory artificially.”

Eshelrid explained with a serious expression.

“It’s strange. Mental manipulation is a very dangerous and difficult spell.”

Juliet didn’t mention that just a short while ago, Marquis Guinness remembered Dahlia’s name.

But she had a hunch.

Just as Dolores had forgotten all memories of Dahlia, it seemed the Marquis had done the same. All within a single night.

“Strange. The curse of the full moon using a spiritual entity is a very powerful ancient spell.”

Eshelrid grumbled.

“If he can’t remember, it means there’s a force stronger than the spiritual entity.”

Eshelrid’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“Dahlia… I remember hearing that name before.”

“I thought so.”

Juliet smiled faintly.

Eshelrid had also been present when Dolores was asked about Dahlia. Eshelrid remembered the event.

“So, who is this Dahlia?”

“Well… she’s a woman.”

Juliet spoke as she organized her thoughts.

In fact, Juliet realized she knew surprisingly little about Dahlia.

“I haven’t met her yet, but for some reason, she seems to know me.”

Eshelrid frowned at the ambiguous statement.

“Is she a magician, this woman?”

“Perhaps.”

Juliet nodded seriously.

It was no longer a suspicion but a certainty. Borrowing Eshelrid’s words, she might be a magician powerful enough to overcome the strong ancient curse.

Following Dolores and then Marquis Guinness.

Whether Dahlia was a magician or not, it was clear that she had the power to distort and erase someone’s memory at will.

Juliet had always vaguely thought that once she recovered the Duke’s family heirloom, all the questions would naturally be answered.

‘Did she give up on the heirloom and run away? Because the Marquis fell?’

However, even after Lennox reclaimed the heirloom, the identity became even more ambiguous.

Even if Juliet assumed that being the daughter of the Fran couple was a memory error or delusion, she now doubted whether Dahlia had ever existed.

“So, what will you do now?”

“Huh? About what?”

She hadn’t thought that far.

“You’ve confirmed that there isn’t just one artifact.”

“Oh… the yellow snake?”

Juliet looked embarrassed.

The yellow snake was a story she heard just the other day from a mercenary-turned-knight she happened to meet.

A knight named Jerome said he saw a comrade handle a giant snake spirit during their mercenary days. And the characteristics of that monster were very similar to Juliet’s butterflies.

“That’s just a rumor. It’s not confirmed.”

“But there wouldn’t be only one artifact in the world possessed by an evil spirit.”

That’s true. Roy had told a similar story.

Among the artifacts known to summon dangerous entities in this world, the only known one was ‘Snowdrop’.

“In other words, there are many more artifacts that are not known.”

“That’s true…”

Juliet reluctantly nodded.

“In other words, your butterflies aren’t the only spirits roaming the world.”

“The butterflies are enough entanglement in my life.”

Juliet stated firmly, and Eshelrid shrugged.

“Well, if you say so. But, Miss.”

“Yes?”

“I think everyone’s forgetting, but is your grandfather alright?”

“Is my grandfather okay?”

Eshelrid cried out as if grieving.

“Your grandfather is a wanted man. Is it alright for him to be in the capital?”

“Oh.”

Juliet finally realized that Eshelrid was concerned about the safety of Lionel Lebatan.

“That is indeed a concern.”

The Red King, Lionel Lebatan, was actually an individual who was unjustly sentenced to death decades ago. This was because his power grew to a point that threatened the authority of the imperial family.

Officially, the moment Lionel stepped foot on the Emperor’s land, it wouldn’t be surprising if he was immediately executed.

Juliet shrugged her shoulders as if it was no big deal.

“He came to the capital last time. Nothing happened then.”

“That’s because his only granddaughter called him.”

Eshelrid grumbled.

“I don’t know if a problem will arise someday.”

Of course, dodging the Emperor’s gaze and roaming around the province is risky.

But Lionel Lebatan was clearly willing to take that risk.

The people of the Lebatan family were thrilled to reunite with their granddaughter and niece after decades.

“My grandfather is fine.”

“Do you think he’d even go to war if discovered?”

Juliet’s nonchalant attitude puzzled Eshel.

Do they trust in the military power of the Carlyle Duke?

Juliet giggled softly.

“Do you think I would send a letter to my grandfather without considering that much?”

Juliet showed Eshel a piece of paper.

“It’s the verdict from my grandfather’s trial.”

Eshelrid skimmed the judgment.

‘The moment you step into the Emperor’s land, you’ll be executed.’ That was the gist.

In reality, Lionel Lebatan wasn’t present during the trial at the court, and the warning was more of a threat against setting foot in the territory.

“What do you mean by this?”

Eshelrid didn’t seem to realize, but Juliet was confident.

“Don’t worry, Eshel. The Emperor won’t lay a finger on my grandfather.”

Suddenly, there was a knock.

A servant rushed in from outside the reception room.

“Miss Juliet, you’re wanted at the imperial palace!”

“Oh!”

Eshelrid looked as if he didn’t know what to do next.

“Come quickly, Juliet.”

Contrary to Eshelrid’s concerns, the reason the imperial palace summoned Juliet wasn’t because they discovered that Lionel Lebatan was staying in the capital.

* * *

“It’s a bouquet for the helpers of the wedding.”

Fatima, now officially the Second Prince’s Consort, handed Juliet a bouquet with a grin.

“The Empress instructed to distribute them to everyone.”

The bouquet was made of grain stalks.

At a glance, it may have seemed plain, but it was a meaningful gift.

When one thinks of bouquets, flowers usually come to mind. But a bouquet made of grain stalks symbolizes protection against evil and brings luck.

“Thank you, Princess Consort.”

Juliet smiled gently, fiddling with the grain.

“Hmph.”

Fatima turned her head away with a smirk.

Ladies who had prepared the wedding with the Second Prince’s Consort exchanged views on the successful festival.

“Magicians were amazing, but did you see the exotic beasts brought from abroad?”

“My goodness, it was truly impressive.”

Juliet didn’t recall wandering around the festival, but she had heard rumors.

The Emperor had displayed rare beasts, sparing no expense.

However, Juliet wasn’t interested in the caged beasts; she was pondering the identity of Dahlia.

“By the way… is the Duke of Carlyle away?”

Someone cautiously asked.

Only when Juliet noticed the eyes of the ladies in the salon turned towards her did she realize the question was directed at her.

“No, no harm meant!”

The questioning lady hastily defended herself.

“When he returns, would you both like to join us…?”

Well.

Juliet hesitated, unsure of how to respond.

‘When Lennox returns…’

She had many things to discuss with him.

Perhaps Lennox would want to clarify their relationship first?

Just as Juliet was about to answer, a voice interrupted.

“Oh, you’re all gathered here.”

“Your Majesty the Empress!”

The noble ladies in the hall stood up in unison to pay their respects.

The Empress gracefully accepted the greetings and sat opposite Juliet.

Juliet politely greeted her.

“I’m glad to see you looking well, Your Majesty.”

“Oh, do I?”

The Empress smiled as if pleased.

“Yes.”

Juliet truly thought so.

The Empress suffered from chronic hepatitis and restricted her outings during this period. She was hardly seen at official banquets.

The Empress looked better than before, though her complexion wasn’t great.

“I met a good healer in Varen. Quite exceptional and diligent for a young person…”

The Empress enthusiastically told Juliet about it.

After a long, somewhat boring conversation, a young woman’s voice came from outside.

“Your Majesty, your medicine is ready. Should I bring it in?”

It seemed either a maid or a nurse of the Empress had arrived.

“Oh, let her in.”

Juliet looked for an opportunity to discreetly exit.

“Then I will take my leave, Your Majesty.”

Before the Empress could stop her, Juliet gracefully bowed and left the hall with impeccable poise. Following her, other ladies also rushed out.

The ladies offered Juliet warm invitations. In the meantime, Juliet briefly passed a woman holding a medicine tray.

“Countess Monad, if you’d like to have tea at our house…”

“We also have excellent tea leaves.”

However, Juliet stopped in her tracks with a pale face.

She immediately turned and grabbed the hem of the woman’s robe.

“Kyaa!”

The woman let out a small scream.

Clatter.

Although Juliet had only slightly caught the hem, the woman seemed so startled that she dropped the tray she was holding.

“What’s the matter, Countess Monad? Why did you do that?”

The Empress and her attendants looked in surprise at Juliet. But Juliet’s gaze was fixed on the woman who had brought the medicine tray.

“…Dahlia?”

The long golden hair with a hint of orange and the purple-colored eyes.

It was unmistakably Dahlia Fran.

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